Mapping and validating senescent cells in human tissues to guide healthier aging
Official title: Senescent cell mapping, identification and validation for human somatic and reproductive tissues
Funded at Buck Institute for Research on Aging · NIH-11518276 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to map and validate senescent cells in human tissues and identify biomarkers to monitor how senolytic treatments affect aging tissues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Buck Institute for Research on Aging NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Novato, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $498,629 |
| NIH project number | 3U54AG075932-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11518276 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults willing to donate tissue samples or participate in related biomarker studies within approved clinical or tissue-collection frameworks.
✕Less likely to help
This specific administrative supplement focuses on tissue and biomarker analysis; direct benefits to every participant may be limited.
What this research studies
This project looks at how aging cells that stop dividing (senescent cells) behave in human tissues and how drugs that selectively remove them (senolytics) change those tissues. Researchers will analyze tissue samples from humans to map proteomic changes and search for blood biomarkers that reflect these interventions. The study leverages human explant tissues and multi-omics approaches to connect tissue-level changes with potential health benefits for aging individuals. It aligns with an established aging tissue mapping program to translate basic biology into strategies for extending healthy years.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could improve how we monitor and target aging tissues to reduce age-related health problems.
How similar studies have gone: Previous senescence research has shown promise in identifying tissue changes and biomarkers; this project aims to extend those findings to human tissue context and therapeutic monitoring.
Where this research is happening
-
Buck Institute for Research on Aging
Novato, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schilling, Birgit — Buck Institute for Research on Aging
- Study coordinator: Schilling, Birgit
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.